Chi-On You Crazy Diamonds

Traveon Maddox of the Michigan Warriors via Novi is one of the state’s to uncommitted seniors and did nothing to change that status on the first day of the Chicago Summer Jam.

Michigan is well-represented at the Chicago Summer Jam. Here are some of the Great Lakes State’s 17U standouts from the opening day of the tournament.

Brent Bosert  6-4  Sr  Moneyball East (Bloomfield Hills): Isn’t going to be your leading scorer, but gets right down to the real nitty gritty to do the things you need to win. Which MBE did, twice on Friday. Blue collar in Bloomfield Hills? You betcha. Bosert got on the floor to corral 50/50 balls, or to save the ball and pass to a teammate for a shot. Lefty who can block shots and scored on the other end with a half-hook.

Sam Johnson  6-9  Sr  West Michigan Lakers (Spring Lake): Great build for a rising senior with a solid base and some upper-body strength. Nice catch-and-shoot option from the short corners. Showed good hands working off of talented point guard Zach Goodline or high-low action with 6-8 Carter Nyp. Defensively more of a root out and wall off guy, than shot blocker. A little dainty finishing around the hoop, would like to see more attitude in the kill zone.

Traveon Maddox  6-4  Sr  Warriors (Novi): Formed a potent Oakland County combo with West Bloomfield’s Tre Harvey. Had a dominant offensive stretch in the Warriors’ first of two wins where the refinement of Maddox’ offensive game was evident over four successive possessions. He drove and pitched to Harvey for a three-pointer; nailed a heavily defended fadeaway from 17 feet; made a three-pointer after going between his legs for a stepback; then another three-pointer pulling up from the top of the key. Still more wing than guard and needs to become consistent from college range and improve snap decision-making on the break. Given his rate of improvement, expect that to happen soon.

Bank Hoops Underclassman All-State Camp August 5

John Mason  6-4  Jr  Playmakers (Detroit King): Strong kid who plays hard like you’d expect of a George Ward minion from MLK. Can score via the post up, attacking from the elbow or running down offensive rebounds. As just a rising junior playing up, one would expect his offensive repertoire and range to expand. Helped the Playmakers win both their Friday games.

Hunter Ruell  5-9  Sr  Parallel 45-White (Manton): Turned college coaches’ heads with a three-point shooting display. Did it off the drive-and-pitch, coming off screens or pulling up in transition. Confident, smooth player with the range and skill to compensate for height at the small school level. Whom he can guard at his size will be a determining factor.

Lewis Willis  6-1  Sr  Common Bond (Ann Arbor Huron): He led a short but scrappy CB squad to a 2-0 start. Can beat his man going right or left with hesitation moves then uses his strength to finish and draw fouls in the lane. Good enough shooter to also play off the ball.